Nicolaitans and Deacon Nicolas

[엘리야후]

Bayo Alabi

Author

Joachim Aaron

Bishop, I truly appreciate your keen response to this post. I'm fully aware of the points you raised, however, I will respond to your comment as follows:

1. Some people are strongly of the option that Nicolas mentioned in Acts 6:5, who was one of the first SEVEN DEACONS, full of the HOLY SPIRIT and WISDOM was the founder of one of the most repudiated deeds. This is completely absurd. First, there is no biblical basis for the APOSTASY of Nicolas who was in the same class with Stephen and Philip who later did greater works for the Lord. Second, there is also no historical basis for that. Actually, my point is not to deny the possibility of the deeds being named after another Nicolas but only to debunk the idea that is was founded by the same Nicolas of Acts 6:5.

2. A keen observation of the term 'Nicolaitane' will make one realise that the only place it was found in the scriptures is in Christ's addresses to Ephesus and Pergamos Churches. And nothing was further said about the nature of the doctrines and deeds because it was well-known among the people of that time, though not yet taken over the churches, because the NAME explains it all.

Also, on the controversy of what the actual meaning of the name 'Nicolas' and 'Nicolaitane' are, I'm sure you already kno that, language is dynamic, a name may have VARIANT EXPRESSIONS and MEANINGS, though closely related. I don't think 'Nicolas' and 'Nicolaitane' are different. There are quite many Greeks words with such characteristics.

3. Please, the deeds of the Nicolaitans are clearly stated in the article above sir. And it is nothing close to the deeds or doctrine of Balaam. Both are not related.

Looking closely at Rev 2:14 and 15, the Lord clearly separated them in His rebuke to the church at Pergamos.

In a nutshell, the doctrine of Balaam which is centered on IDOL WORSHIP and IMMORALITY is totally different from the Nicolaitans doctrine which is centered on USURPING CHRIST'S POSITION over His people - the people He purchase/redeemed with His own blood.

4. The article doesn't oppose church leadership as you asserted. It only opposes FALSE church leadership that is projected at usurping Christ's exclusive position. It is centered of TRUE CHURCH LEADERSHIP according to the foundation the Apostles laid under the dictate of the Holy Spirit.

5. Your citing of Heb 13:17 and Acts 20:28 is a talk for another day. However, I want to bring to your notice that, Paul's address to the ELDERS of the church at Ephesus in Acts 20:28 wasn't put of place. The right Church leadership and government is PLURALITY, not the SINGULAR system that's practiced today. The church was governed or led by a group of ELDERS and assisted by DEACONS not a singular pastoral system we run today. So Paul's address to them in taking need to the 'flocks' wasn't out of place and not to LORD OVER THEM. They're to see them as brothers and sisters of the same priestly and royal family, and care for them.

So it's not only about those who misbehave in leadership, but the false modern Church leadership system which has derailed from the Apostles' pattern.

Bayo Alabi Well said. No Mono-pastoral system is found in NT. Wherever Paul and Silas went, they established an Assembly in a town, then appointed the plural elders, no singular pastor ( Acts 14:23) Paul sent a man to bring the plural elders from the singular Assembly of Ephesus, no pastor, then told them that Holy Spirit appointed them as the Overseers. At that time, Apostle Paul already warned the elders that even among them, there will arise the Nicolaitans : Acts 20:30 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.